The Reality TV Star Behind a Disturbing Ohio Criminal Case.. ERICA GROVE & TONY McCOLLISTER

Thousands of disturbing text messages became the center of the criminal case against Ohio woman Erica Grove and her former partner, Tony McCollister, who previously appeared on A&E’s reality series Neighbors with Benefits.

Grove faced serious allegations involving a five-year-old girl, but during her 2026 bench trial, Judge Robert Peeler repeatedly questioned whether the messages described real events or disturbing fantasies. On September 23, Grove was acquitted of four rape charges, a drug-related charge and several other counts because the state lacked sufficient corroborating evidence. However, she was convicted of two counts of gross sexual imposition and two counts of child endangering. She had previously pleaded guilty to four separate animal-related offenses.

Meanwhile, McCollister has pleaded guilty to 17 charges while his trial on additional allegations continues. This episode examines the investigation, evidence and complicated verdict.